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Bureau of Mines Information Circular/1985 



Mining Health and Safety In-House 
and Contract Research 
in Fiscal Year 1985 



By Staff, Bureau of Mines 




UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 



751 



ijAlAtt^d Sia-te.^ £>ur^<^tA o-f V\/\ineLs2? 



Information Circular 9010 

w 



Mining Health and Safety In-House 
and Contract Research 
in Fiscal Year 1985 



By Staff, Bureau of Mines 




UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

Donald Paul Model, Secretary 

BUREAU OF MINES 
Robert C. Morton, Director 



mess^smmmmmm 







^Di 



Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data: 



United States. Bureau of Mines. 

Mining health and safety in-house and contract research in fiscal 
year 1985. 

(Information circular ; 9010) 

Supt. of Docs, no.: I 28.27:9010. 

1, Mine safety— Research— United States. 2. Miners— Diseases and 
hygiene— Research— United States. I. Title. 11, Series: Information 
circular (United States. Bureau of Mines) ; 9010. 



TN295.U4 622s [622*. 8'0720731 84-600391 



CONTENTS 

c Page 

Abstract I 

Introduction 1 

Program outline 2 

Part 1. — In-house research 2 

Health 2 

Respirable dust 2 

Control of dust formation 2 

Control of generated dust 3 

>- Dust instrumentation and measurement 4 

^ Radiation hazards 4 

Control of radiation hazards 4 

Radiation instrumentation and measurement 4 

Noise control 4 

<;i^ Industrial hygiene (toxic substances) 5 

^--- Toxic gases and materials 5 

'<: Diesel engine and alternative power sources 5 

Ventilation 6 

Safety 6 

Fire and explosion prevention 6 

Prevention and detection 6 

Ignition control and suppression technology 6 

Propagation and extinguishment 7 

Methane control 7 

Fundamental factors 8 

Control during mining 8 

Ground control 8 

Mine design and development 8 

Hazard detection and monitoring systems 10 

Roof support systems 10 

Safe support installation 12 

Waste stability 12 

Industrial-type hazards 13 

Electrical 13 

Illuminat ion 13 

Mine communications and monitoring 14 

Human factors 14 

Mine equipment safety 15 

y^ Haulage and materials handling 15 

"^ Postdisaster 16 

' Survival 16 

^ Communications 16 

» Rescue and mine recovery 16 

-^ Explosives 16 

Systems engineering 17 

vO Systems analysis 17 

"^ Test facilities 17 

V Assistance with program management 18 

^^ 
\ 



ii 



CONTENTS — Continued 

Page 



Part 2. — Contract research , 

Health 

Respirable dust 

Noise control 

Industrial hygiene (toxic substances)..... 

Ventilation 

Safety , 

Ground Control 

Mine design and development 

Hazard detection and monitoring systems, 
Waste stability 



18 


18 


18 


18 


19 


19 


19 


19 


19 


19 


19 





UNIT OF MEASURE ABBREVIATIONS USED IN THIS REPORT 


m 


meter pet percent 



MINING HEALTH AND SAFETY IN-HOUSE AND CONTRACT RESEARCH 

IN FISCAL YEAR 1985 

By Staff, Bureau of Mines 



ABSTRACT 

This publication summarizes the research (in-house and contract proj- 
ects) programmed by the Bureau of Mines for fiscal year 1985 (October 1, 
1984-September 30, 1985) under its Health and Safety Technology Program. 
The objective of these projects is to provide an ordered and sequenced 
advance toward the Bureau's overall goal of providing the systems tech- 
nology required to create a more healthful and safer working environment 
for the Nation's mining and minerals processing workers. 

INTRODUCTION 

The Bureau of Mines conducts a balanced, continuing in-house research 
and development program to accelerate systematic improvements in health 
and safety conditions in U.S. mines. Part 1 of this report outlines the 
Bureau's present in-house effort to all interested parties; in particu- 
lar, potential contractors can refer to it when submitting USP's (un- 
solicited proposals) , thus avoiding proposing research that duplicates 
work being performed by the Bureau. Part 2 outlines the Bureau's cur- 
rent projected contract research needs. 

Contracts for the Health and Safety Technology Program will be awarded 
in strict accordance with Federal Procurement Regulations. Availability 
of requests for proposals (RFP's) will be formally advertised in the 
Commerce Business Daily. No additional information will be supplied on 
these projects until after the RFP's are made available and then only in 
strict accordance with prescribed procedures. This document is not in- 
tended to solicit proposals from the contracting community. All USP's 
whose content reflects the objective(s) of the proposed projects listed 
herein will be returned without formal review. 



PROGRAM OUTLINE 



The objective of the Health and Safety 
Technology Program is to protect the 
health and safety of mining and minerals 
processing workers while ensuring that 
newly developed technology incorporates 
health and safety criteria. In achieving 
this objective, four fundamental and com- 
plementary requirements must be consid- 
ered by the research program: 

1« Contributing to the viability of a 
basic industry. 

2. Sustaining productivity, 

3. Allowing for a return on capital 
investment. 



4. Providing material 
the public. 



and energy to 



The Health and Safety Technology Pro- 
gram is divided into 12 subprogram areas 
as shown: 

Health 

Respirable Dust 
Radiation Hazards 
Noise Control 
Industrial Hygiene 
Ventilation 

Safety 

Fire and Explosion Prevention 

Methane Control 

Ground Control 

Industrial-Type Hazards 

Postdisaster 

Explosives 

Systems Engineering 



Since mining and minerals processing 
involve a highly integrated and inter- 
related set of functions, the program has 
been divided into a set of interrelated 
subprograms, each with goals that will 
provide systems technology solutions to 
the problems within the framework, of 
these fundamental requirements. 



The objectives of these subprograms 
are described in the following pages, 
followed by the planned projects and 
their corresponding descriptions. The 
aggregate value of the planned in-house 
projects is approximately $25.5 million, 
and that of the anticipated contracts is 
$1.8 million. 



PART 1.— IN-HOUSE RESEARCH 



HEALTH 



Control of Dust Formation 



Respirable Dust 

Program Objectives : To investigate ba- 
sic dust control technologies and con- 
cepts aimed at both preventing the forma- 
tion of respirable dust and controlling 
the airborne dust generated during the 
mining cycle. To provide new and im- 
proved technology for measuring and con- 
trolling airborne respirable dust at lev- 
els that meet or are below standards set 
by the Federal law for all mining and 
mineral processing operations. 



1. Define the Empirical Relationship 
Between Cutting Parameters, Dust 
Generation, and Cutting Forces 
for Coal and Rock 

Objective : To conduct basic studies 
to determine the relationships between 
forces, energy, primary dust generation, 
and cutting parameters for coal type, 
bit geometry, and bit usagQ,, and estab- 
lish a generic mathematical model to 
optimize cutting systems for minimum 
dust generation. To install a prototype 



continuous miner cutting drum In a test 
facility to evaluate a linear depth of 
cut design. This Is a continuation of an 
ongoing project. 

2. Fundamentals of Dust Formation 
and Entralnment 

Objective ; To initiate laboratory 
studies to define the basic parameters of 
coal and quartz during breakage and how 
the parameters affect the formation and 
entralnment of airborne respirable dust. 
This is a continuation of an ongoing 
project. 

3. Study of Coal Dust Wettability 

Objective : To determine the critical 
performance parameters of surfactants for 
coal wetting and define the characteris- 
tics of a universal surfactant. To in- 
vestigate the effects of coal surface 
chemistry on wettability. This is a con- 
tinuation of an ongoing project. 

4. Mine Inspection Data Analysis System 

Objective ; To conduct a statistical 
analysis of available dust exposure data 
and complete the development of the ex- 
posure index that will aid the Mine Safe- 
ty and Health Administration (MSHA) in 
determining its future Inspection and 
sampling strategy. To expand this analy- 
sis to Involve other airborne contami- 
nants. This is a continuation of an 
ongoing project. 

Control of Generated Dust 

5. Determination of the Extrinsic 
Parameters Governing the Quartz 
Exposure of Coal Mine Workers 

Objective ; To identify the specific 
dust sources in both underground and sur- 
face operations to direct control tech- 
nology concepts. Emphasis is on sources 
that generate more than 5 pet quartz in 
the mine atmosphere. To determine if op- 
erations are expected to operate under 
more stringent standards due to silica 
dust for the life of the operation or 
whether this condition will vary. This 
is a continuation of an ongoing project. 



6. Behavior and Transport of Silica Dust 
in Room and Pillar Mining Operations 

Objective : To study the ventilation 
patterns and airflow characteristics at 
room and pillar operations and determine 
their effect on the behavior and trans- 
port of silica dust. To identify speci- 
fic areas where silica dust behaves dif- 
ferently from coal dust and determine how 
dust control practices need to be modi- 
fied to compensate for these differences. 
This is a continuation of an ongoing 
project. 

7. Investigation of Quartz Dust 
Generation During the Removal 

of Overburden Material at Surface 
Coal Mines 

Objective ; To identify and quantify 
silica dust sources at surface coal oper- 
ations with special emphasis on sources 
governing the dust exposure of hlghwall 
drill operations. This is a continuation 
of an ongoing project. 

8. Identification and Study of the 
Elemental Sources and Behavior 
of Respirable Dust as It Relates 
to Longwall Dust Control 

Objective; To identify and character- 
ize the sources and behavior of respira- 
ble dust in longwall mining operations 
and to evaluate dust control concepts. 
Quantify the effectiveness of longwall 
dust control measures including dust 
suppression techniques , as well as ad- 
ministrative procedures as they affect 
the dust exposure of the face workers. 
This is a continuation of an ongoing 
project. 

9. Define and Characterize Sources 
of Mill Dust and Its Control 

Objective : To conduct studies to iden- 
tify and control dust sources and genera- 
tion In mineral processing plants and 
mills. Complete the evaluation of the 
new concept vacuum nozzle fill method for 
packaging mineral ores with high silica 
content. This is a continuation of an 
ongoing project. 



Dust Instrumentation and Measurement 

10. Study of Resplrable Dust Monitoring 
Strategies and Evaluation of Dust 
Measurement Concepts 

Objective : To evaluate the perform- 
ance of real-time, continuous reading 
dust monitors for research and for en- 
forcement use. Instruments include the 
Tapered Element Oscillating Microbalance 
and light-scattering optical instruments. 
Continue development of a monitoring 
strategy for controlling resplrable coal 
mine dust that uses real-time monitoring 
instruments. This is a continuation of 
an ongoing project. 

1 i. Determination of Silica Particle 
Size Distribution in Resplrable 
Mine Dust Samples 

Objective ; To determine the size dis- 
tribution of mineral particulates col- 
lected from underground coal mines by 
scanning electron microscope (SEM) image 
analysis with special emphasis on size of 
silica particulates as related to the 
various coal seams. To initiate similar 
analysis of hardrock mining operations. 
This is a continuation of an ongoing 
project. 

Radiation Hazards 

Program Objective ; To advance the 
state of measurement and control technol- 
ogy for protection of miners from expo- 
sure to radon and radon daughters and 
other nuclear radiation hazards in ura- 
nium and other mines. 

Control of Radiation Hazards 

1 . Radon Control Technology 

Objective ; To define and investigate 
the parameters that influence the release 
of radon from radium-bearing ores, and 
develop a computer model of the release 
of radon into the mine atmosphere consid- 
ering ventilation pressures, mining ac- 
tivities, and inactive mines. This is a 
continuation of an ongoing project. 



Radiation Instrumentation 
and Measurement 

2. Personal Exposure Measurement 
Technology 

Objective ; To complete the use of pas- 
sive alpha detectors for radon measure- 
ments and study methods for measuring 
long-lived alpha emitters. To determine 
physical characteristics of radon daugh- 
ters in mine atmospheres. To continue 
to evaluate the accuracy and reliability 
of emerging radiation measurement tech- 
nology. This is a continuation of an 
ongoing project. 

Noise Control 

Program Objectives: To reduce mine 
worker overexposure to noise by conduct- 
ing research in noise source identifica- 
tion, noise control technology, and hear- 
ing protector research. 

1. Hearing Protector Research 

Objective; To determine the actual 
protection provided by hearing protectors 
under working conditions in the mining 
environment. To complete the development 
of a two-microphone attenuation measure- 
ment method that can be used in under- 
ground mines. This is a continuation of 
an ongoing project. 

2. Noise Control of LHD Vehicles 

Objective: To devise and evaluate 
cost-effective retrofit and factory- 
integrated noise controls for underground 
diesel-powered load-haul-dump (LHD) vehi- 
cles. This is a continuation of an ongo- 
ing project. 

3. Chain Conveyor and Gear Research 

Objective: To conduct basic studies 
into noise generating mechanisms of chain 
conveyors and mining equipment gear 
trains which have been identified as 
significant noise sources. This is a 
continuation of an ongoing project. 



Investigations of Percussive Drill 
Noise Control 



2. Monitoring and Measurement 
of Contaminant Gases 



Objectives: To conduct studies into 
the noise generation mechanisms of drill 
steel and study new engineering design 
concepts to reduce the noise of percus- 
sion drills. This is a continuation of 
an ongoing project. 

5. Noise Abatement Profile 

Objectives ; To establish a computer 
data noise abatement profile that will 
assess worker overexposure to noise and 
evaluate cost benefit studies. This is a 
continuation of an ongoing project. 

Industrial Hygiene (Toxic Substances) 

Program Objectives : To identify and con- 
trol health hazards in surface and under- 
ground mines and mineral processing 
plants caused by toxic gases and fumes, 
and certain particulates produced by 
explosives, combustible materials, and 
diesel engines. To develop and evaluate 
new instrumentation for monitoring these 
substances. To develop and/or refine an- 
alytical techniques for measuring and 
characterizing toxic substances, and in- 
vestigate methods for controlling the 
formation and accumulation of toxic prod- 
ucts. To analyze alternative power 
sources that may have health advantages 
over existing mine diesels. 

Toxic Gases and Materials 



Objective: To devise and evaluate 
methods and devices that can be used ef- 
fectively and efficiently by the mining 
industry to evaluate, maintain, and im- 
prove the working environment in under- 
ground mines. This is a continuation of 
an ongoing project. 

3. Cyanide Hazard in the Mining 
Industry 

Objective: To identify cyanide hazards 
associated with the use of cyanide solu- 
tions in leaching gold and silver ores 
and as a depressant in the benefication 
of sulfide ores. Determine chemical or 
physical means of reducing the identified 
hazards. This is a new project. 

4. Measurement and Control 
of Welding Fumes 

Objective: To assess related industry 
practices pertaining to measurement and 
control of welding and cutting fumes, 
dust, and radiation, and adapt this tech- 
nology to confined work areas found in 
the mining environment. To determine the 
quantity and character of welding pol- 
lutants and personnel exposure levels. 
This is a continuation of an ongoing 
project. 

Diesel Engine and Alternative 
Power Sources 



1 . Toxic Fumes From Explosives and 
Other Materials Used in Mining 



5. Research To Control Diesel Engine 
Exhaust Emissions 



Objective : To determine the identity 
and quantity of fixed gases, chemical 
vapors, and residues produced by the 
detonation of explosives and by the ther- 
mal oxidative degradation and combustion 
of materials used in underground mining 
operations. To determine the effect of 
low-order reaction due to marginal pri- 
mary, deteriorated explosives, or to 
improper delay intervals in the produc- 
tion of toxic fumes during blasting. 
This is a continuation of an ongoing 
project. 



Objective: To complete instrumenta- 
tion of the diesel test cell to perform 
state-of-the-art research on measurement 
and control of gaseous and particulate 
emissions from diesel engines. To de- 
termine the efficiency of ceramic, wall- 
flow particulate filters and assess 
products of combustion of commonly used 
fuel additives used by the industry. 
This is a continuation of an ongoing 
project. 



Ventilation 

Program Objectives: To design venti- 
lation systems required to maintain a 
safe and healthful atmosphere conducive 
to efficient work output in noncoal 
mines . 

1. Improving Ventilation in Noncoal 
Min es and Mills 

Objectives: To investigate the aero- 
dynamics of face ventilation systems in 
large opening mines, to document a ther- 
mal energy recovery system for reducing 
mine refrigeration and energy needs of 
hot mines, and to investigate improved 
mine stopping construction techniques, 
especially in large-opening mines. This 
is a continuation of an ongoing project. 

SAFETY 

Fire and Explosion Prevention 

Program Objectives : To reduce the po- 
tential for a fire or explosion in min- 
eral extraction and processing opera- 
tions, to minimize the danger to people 
on account of fires or explosions that do 
occur, and to diminish the vulnerability 
to such attendant hazards as high temper- 
ature, asphyxiating and toxic fumes, and 
explosive gas mixtures. 

Prevention and Detection 

1. Investigation of Fundamental 
Approaches to Fire Warning in 
Underground Mines Including 
Stench Gas, CO Indicators, 
and Human Response 

Objective : To reduce fire warning time 
for deep underground metal mines and 
ensure appropriate response by miners to 
warning signals. This is a continuation 
of an ongoing project. 

2. Hazard Detection and Instrumentation 

Objective : To identify, evaluate, and 
improve upon promising fire sensors and 
fire-sensing systems for use in un- 
derground mines. To develop prototype 



systems capable of (1) remote measurement 
of methane and other flammable gases and 
(2) low-level smoke sensing. This is a 
continuation of an ongoing project. 

3. Implementation of Coal Dust-Rock 
Dust Regulations 

Objective ; To provide improved instru- 
mentation to enable MSHA to more readily 
determine compliance with current rock 
dust regulations. To field test the 
Bureau prototype reflective rock dust 
meter in several operating coal mines. 
To maintain awareness of non-rock -dust 
alternatives for explosion prevention. 
This is a continuation of an ongoing 
project. 

4. Fires in Mine Passageways 

Objective: To provide data on mine 
fire parameters, such as fire growth 
rate, ignition source intensity, fire 
size, and yields of toxic combustion 
products that can lead to improved and 
realistic fire detection and a more rea- 
listic planning of fire emergency pro- 
cedures. This is a continuation of an 
ongoing project. 

5. Characterizing the Effect of the 
Mining Environment on Underground 
Metal Mine Fire Detection 

Objective: To perform highly complex 
analyses of fire growth and containment 
spread using real-time inputs from in- 
mine detection instruments. This is a 
continuation of an ongoing project. 

Ignition Control and 
Suppression Technology 

6. Feasibility and Ignitability Testing 
of Mineral Dusts, Gases, and Vapors 

Objective : To develop and promulgate 
new and more reliable explosivity and 
ignitability indices for use in classify- 
ing dusts according to their hazard 
potential. Continue thermal and spark- 
ignitability studies in a new and larger 
furnace to permit more accurate control 
over the environments simulated as a 



representation of those encountered 
in mine. To delineate the domain of 
flammability for mixtures of coal dust- 
rock, dust-methane in air. To find new, 
cost-effective supplements or substitutes 
for rock dust. This is a continuation of 
an ongoing project. 

7. Fire Hazards of Mine Combustibles 

Objectives : To evaluate flame spread 
rates of mine materials under sloping 
conditions. This is a continuation of an 
ongoing project. 

8. Pacification of Sulfide Oxidation 

Objective : To determine the kinetics 
and mechanisms of low-temperature oxida- 
tion of sulfides, particularly pyrrhotite 
and zinc, so as to identify the rate- 
controlling step(s). To apply the result 
of this study to identify chemical and 
physical inhibitors and validate, first 
in large-scale laboratory tests and ulti- 
mately in mines, the ability of these 
inhibitors to prevent or retard sulfide 
oxidation and thereby reduce the proba- 
bility of mine fires and resultant loss 
of property and life. This is a continu- 
ation of an ongoing effort. 

9. Spontaneous Combustion Research 



11. 



Propagation and Extinguishment 

Fire and Explosion Hazards of Oil 
Shale Mining and Oil Mining 



Objective ; To provide guidelines for 
fire and explosion prevention during 
all phases of oil shale mining and pro- 
cessing. This is a continuation of an 
ongoing project. 

12. Full-Scale Mine Explosion Research 

Objective ; To study the ignition, 
propagation and suppression of full-scale 
explosions of coal dust, oil shale dust, 
and gas in the Bruceton and Lake Lynn 
Experimental Mines; and to improve and 
maintain the instrumentation in both 
facilities. This is a continuation of an 
ongoing project. 

13. Prevention and Suppression 
of Ignitions and Explosions 

Objective ; To develop, test, and con- 
duct field trials of (1) new tool bit 
geometries for the prevention of face 
ignitions, (2) barriers for the suppres- 
sion of gas and coal dust explosions, and 
(3) two prototype wet head continuous 
miners. This is a continuation of an 
ongoing project. 



Objective : To study the self-heating 
of materials under realistic conditions 
in order to provide criteria for predic- 
tion and prevention of spontaneous com- 
bustion occurrences. This is a continua- 
tion of an ongoing project. 

10. Microscopic Structure and 
Composition of Combustible 
Dusts and Residues 

Objective ; To conduct quantitative mi- 
croscopic structure studies, size distri- 
butions, and composition analyses of var- 
ious dusts after laser pyrolysis exposure 
with the scanning electron microscope or 
electron microscope, and to apply the 
data obtained to combustion research and 
the forensic science of postdisaster in- 
vestigation. This is a continuation of 
an ongoing project. 



14. Mine Fire Diagnostics 

Objective ; To develop needed guide- 
lines for safe reopening of a mine fol- 
lowing sealing of a coal mine fire, to 
evaluate mine fire detection and suppres- 
sion systems , and to evaluate full-scale 
fires involving other mine combustibles 
such as mine dusts, brattice curtains, 
and conveyor belts. This is a continua- 
tion of an ongoing project. 

Methane Control 



Program Objective : To develop the 
technology that will enhance the ability 
of the mining industry to more effective- 
ly control methane in underground coal 
mines. The technology involved ranges 
from determining the fundamental factors 
influencing the occurrence of methane 



to the development of techniques to con- 
trol methane in advance of and during 
mining. 

Fundamental Factors 



1. 



Fundamental Factors Affecting 
Methane in Coal and Associated 
Strata 



Objective : To determine the Influences 
of geology on the occurrence and emission 
of methane. This is a continuation of an 
ongoing project. 

2. Understanding the Mechanisms of Gas 
Outbursts in Coal 

Objective ; To assess the potential for 
and the minimizing of gas outburst 
hazards in coal mines. This is a con- 
tinuation of an ongoing effort. 

3. The Geology of Methane in Metal 
and Nonmetal Mines 



7. Development of Methane Control 
Strategies in Metal and Nonmetal 
Mines 

Objective: To develop and evaluate 
specific methane control strategies for 
metal and nonmetal mines. This is a con- 
tinuation of an ongoing project. 

8. Ventilation for Methane Control 

Objective : To conduct research on im- 
proved ventilation techniques for methane 
control in coal mines. This is a contin- 
uation of an ongoing project. 

Ground Control 

Program Objectives : To develop tech- 
nology that can be applied by the mining 
industry to reduce accidents due to the 
failure of underground mine roof, face, 
and ribs, and the collapse of surface 
mine and waste embankment slopes. 



Objective: To determine the influence 
of geology on the occurrence and emission 
of methane in metal and nonmetal mines. 
This is a continuation of an ongoing 
project. 

Control During Mining 

4. Protection of Methane Drainage 
Systems 

Objective : To investigate improved 
techniques for protecting methane drain- 
age systems. This is a continuation of 
an ongoing project. 

5. Methane Drainage for Low 
Permeability Coalbeds 

Objective : To influence horizontal 
drilling and completion technology for 
use in low-permeability coalbeds. This 
is a continuation of an ongoing project. 

6. Longwall Gob Gas Control Using 
Cross Measure Boreholes 

Objective ; To evaluate new techniques 
for gob degasif ication. This is a con- 
tinuation of an ongoing project. 



Mine Design and Development 

1. Engineering Data Base for Coal Mine 
Ground Control Planning 

Objective; To develop and establish a 
centralized geological and engineering 
data base for coal mine ground control 
planning and design. This is a continua- 
tion of an ongoing project. 

2. Structural Analysis and Design 
for Longwall Mining 

Objective: To apply numerical modeling 
techniques to identify optimum entry con- 
figurations, pillar designs, and single- 
entry development for longwall mining of 
steep coal seams and multiple seams. 
This is a continuation of an ongoing 
project. 

3. Field Investigation of Coal Mine 
Pillar Design 

Objective : To identify major problems 
related to current designs of chain 
pillars and barrier pillars, and vali- 
date the design concepts using field 



instrumentation data and regressive in- 
tegrity factor analysis. This is a con- 
tinuation of an ongoing project. 

4. Geophysical Validation of Coal Mine 
Pillar Integrity 

Objective : To complete evaluation of 
geophysical methods for determination of 
the extent of and characteristics of 
yielded zones in coal mine pillars. This 
is a continuation of an ongoing project. 

5. Evaluate Borehole Instruments for 
Rock Mechanics Investigations 

Objective: To complete field and lab- 
oratory evaluation of the borehole shear 
tester, the improved borehole pressure 
cell, the two-component physical property 
gage, and the soft borehole deformation 
gage. This is a continuation of an on- 
going project. 

6. Roof and Pillar Stability at Coal 
Mine Intersections 

Objective : To analyze stresses and 
deformations in the roof and ribs at 
entry intersections of coal mines using 
numerical modeling techniques, and verify 
the results with field measurement of 
convergence and stresses. This is a con- 
tinuation of an ongoing project. 

7. Stress Technology for Improved 
Mine Design 

Objective : To complete field evalua- 
tion of the effect of in situ stress 
fields on ground control problems and the 
potential of stress technology in improv- 
ing mine structural design. This is a 
continuation of an ongoing project. 

8. Application of Geodynamic 
Accumulated Strain Sensor 
to In Situ Rock Stresses 
Measurement 

Objective : To develop acoustic trans- 
ducers for in situ rock stress measure- 
ment based on pulsed-phase-locked-loop 



technology and demonstrate their appli- 
cation. This is a continuation of an 
ongoing project. 

9. Geologic Studies for Coal Mine 
Ground Control 

Objective : To classify hazardous geo- 
logic features of coal mine roof and 
identify suitable roof support tech- 
niques. This is a continuation of an 
ongoing project. 

10. Fundamental Studies of Mountain 
Bumps in Eastern Coalfields 

Objective : To investigate geologic 
parameters and mining practices relative 
to mountain bump phenomena in eastern 
coalfields. This is a new project. 

11. Model Studies and Field 
Verification of Roof Bolting 
Criteria 

Objective : To develop design guide- 
lines for mine roof reinforcement using 
various types of roof bolts by collating 
the results of full-scale model testing, 
finite-element computer analysis, and in- 
mine tests. This is a continuation of an 
ongoing project. 

12. Ground Control Planning 
for Deep Vein Mines 

Objective : To develop a stability 
forecasting method using advanced numeri- 
cal modeling techniques for ground con- 
trol planning in deep-vein mining. This 
is a new project. 

13. Mechanics and Control of Time- 
Dependent Deformation Around 
Deep-Vein Mine Openings 

Objective : To investigate the mechan- 
ics of time-dependent rock deformation in 
deep vein mines, complete field evalua- 
tion of the improved seismic rock burst 
monitoring system with fiber optic data 
transmission, and develop ground control 
design criteria to prevent catastrophic 



10 



rock failure. This is a continuation of 
an ongoing project. 

14. Engineering Properties of Coal 
Measure Rocks 

Objective: To complete documentation 
and publication of laboratory test re- 
sults on engineering properties of coal 
measure rocks. This is a continuation of 
an ongoing project. 

Hazard Detection and 
Monitoring Systems 

15. Coal Mine Bounce 



and Outburst Studies 



Objective : To assess the reliabil- 
ity of low-frequency and high-frequency 
microseismic monitoring techniques to 
delineate areas of eventual coal bounce 
and outburst failure. A capability for 
automatic, real-time microseismic moni- 
toring in underground coal mines shall be 
achieved. This is a continuation of an 
ongoing project. 

16. Three-Dimensional Remote-Sensing 
Data Analysis for Mine Hazard 
Prediction 

Objective : To investigate a composite 
methodology to construct three-dimension- 
al mine hazard maps by combining satel- 
lite imagery data, aerial photographs, 
geologic and geophysical information, and 
digital terrain mapping. This is a con- 
tinuation of an ongoing project. 

17. In-Seam Hazard Detection Using 
Geophysical Techniques 

Objective : To evaluate the reliability 
and accuracy of high-resolution guided 
wave seismic and radar technologies and 
the ultrasonic face scanner in detecting 
and locating hazardous geologic features 
and mine voids within a coal seam. This 
is a continuation of an ongoing project. 



18. Acoustic Cross-Borehole Hazard 
Detection Systems 

Objective: To complete assembly of the 
low-frequency, acoustic cross-borehole 
hazard detection system, install the in- 
strumentation in a field logging vehicle, 
and conduct performance tests. This is a 
continuation of an ongoing project. 

19. Prediction and Control of Rock 
Bursts and Failures in Mines 



Objective ; To continue collection of 
microseismic and electromagnetic radia- 
tion data at the Galena Mine and estab- 
lish the conceptual viability of using 
electromagnetic radiation measurement to 
improve failure prediction capability. 
This is a continuation of an ongoing 
project. 

20. Critical Parameters Controlling 
Roof Stability 

Objective : To investigate roof-to- 
floor closure rate criteria for roof fall 
prediction using potentiometric and ul- 
trasonic closure rate devices. This is a 
continuation of an ongoing project. 

Roof Support Systems 

21. Arch Canopy Research 

Objective : To determine the dynamic 
response of arch canopies, their struc- 
tural components, and tunnel liner fill 
systems to impact loading. This is a 
continuation of an ongoing project. 

22. Fundamental Drill and Bolt Param- 
eters Affecting Roof Integrity 

Objective : To determine if roof bolts 
can be installed with uniform tension in 
widely varying roof conditions and deter- 
mine roof stability that results. This 
is a continuation of an ongoing project. 



11 



23. Ground Control System Safety 
Analysis 

Objective: To examine ground control 
accident reports to determine trends and 
to suggest needed Bureau research. This 
is a continuation of an ongoing project. 

24. Inorganic Cementing Materials 

Objective: To complete the development 
of chemical binders and methods of appli- 
cation to mine roofs to increase the mine 
roof stability, with special attention to 
potential inorganic binders. This is a 
continuation of an ongoing project. 

25. Investigation of Factors Associated 
With Cutter (Shear) Roof 

Objective ; To perform engineering and 
geologic studies to determine causes of 
cutter roof. This is a continuation of 
an ongoing project. 

26. Support of Thick Coal Roofs in 
Western Mines 

Objective ; To determine optimum sup- 
port devices for safe, effective support 
of underground mine roofs composed of 
thick top coal. This is a continuation 
of an ongoing project. 

27. Support for Large Underground 
Openings 

Objective : To formulate, develop, and 
test concepts for ground support systems 
to stabilize large underground openings 
in thick-seam coal. This is a continua- 
tion of an ongoing project. 

28. Passive Roof Supports To Control 
Ground 

Objective : To develop fundamental data 
on the function of passive, artificial 
yielding roof supports used during 



mining. This is a continuation of an 
ongoing project. 

29. Corrosion of Metallic Roof Support 
Elements 

Objective : To develop guidelines to 
aid MSHA and mining personnel in predict- 
ing the life of roof support systems, 
determine detrimental effects of corro- 
sive mine environments on metallic roof 
supports , and help identify potential 
control measures. This is a continuation 
of an ongoing project. 



30. 



Nontensioned Rock Reinforcement 



Objective : To develop nontensioned, 
full-column inorganic grouted rock bolts 
for use in metal and nonmetal mines; com- 
plete testing of a scaler for use in 
metal and nonmetal mines. This is a con- 
tinuation of an ongoing project. 

31. Minimum Column Lengths for Resin- 
Grouted Bolts in Evaporites 

Objective : To complete the determi- 
nation of the minimum column lengths re- 
quired to ensure safe working conditions 
when rock conditions are such that some 
grout is forced out into the rock mass. 
This is a continuation of an ongoing 
project. 

32. Flexible Distributed-Load Support 
System 

Objective : To define the interactive 
mechanics of flexible distributed-load 
supports; to determine the critical pa- 
rameters that control the selection of 
backpacking materials; and to establish 
and verify a theory for flexible dis- 
tributed-load support that will lead to 
effective design and implementation of 
the systems. This is a continuation of 
an ongoing project. 



12 



33. Roof Bolt Effectiveness Monitoring 
Using High-Frequency Mlcroseismic 
System 

Objective : To evaluate data analysis 
techniques of self-generated rock noise 
(ultrasonic frequency range) as related 
to dynamic structural response in under- 
ground mines. This is a continuation of 
an ongoing project. 

Safe Support Installation 



38. Longwall Mining Inv estigations 

Objective: To develop data on support 
loadings and strata activity associated 
with the development of longwall gateroad 
entries and subsequent mining of longwall 
panels; to evaluate materials for strata 
stabilization and void fillings. This is 
a continuation of an ongoing project. 

39. Systems Interaction for Support 
Installation 



34. Support-Rock Interaction Mechanics 
for Full-Column Bolting 

Objective: To develop fundamental 
knowledge and understanding of the behav- 
ior of full-column bolting in underground 
mines, especially using nonstandard 
grouts and bolts. This is a continuation 
of an ongoing project. 

35. Destressing of Coal Mine Bounces, 
Coal Bursts, and Gas Outbursts in 
Deep Western Mines 

Objective ; To integrate field measure- 
ments and observations with numerical 
analysis and laboratory studies to gain a 
better fundamental understanding of why a 
bounce, burst, or outburst occurs and how 
to eliminate or reduce them in coal mine 
entries and longwall faces. This is a 
continuation of an ongoing project. 

36. Theory and Mechanics of Roof Truss 
Behavior 

Objective : To develop basic data on 
the support characteristics of roof 
trusses, and to evaluate concepts to pro- 
vide faster and safer installation of 
trusses. This is a continuation of an 
ongoing project. 

37. Effects of Bolt Installation 
Procedure on Mine Roof Stability 

Objective : To determine bolting pro- 
cedures that enhance or degrade roof 
stability. This is a continuation of an 
ongoing project. 



Objective : To evaluate support instal- 
lation concepts that remove the miner 
from immediate danger when placing bolts. 
This is a continuation of an ongoing 
project. 

40. Retreat Mining Geomechanics 

Objective : To determine the mechanisms 
of roof collapse during retreat mining 
and establish guidelines to improve the 
safety of retreat mining. This is a con- 
tinuation of an ongoing effort. 

41. Roof Bolt Torque and Load Research 

Objective : To complete the development 
of a system of direct, in situ measure- 
ment of roof bolt tension. This is a 
continuation of an ongoing project. 

Waste Stability 

42. Generic Modeling of Waste 
Embankments and Backfilled 
Structures 

Objective : To design and validate ge- 
neric models via numerical model analysis 
and centrifuge testing for the evaluation 
of surface waste embankments and under- 
ground backfilled structures. This is a 
continuation of an ongoing project. 

43. Surface Disposal of Mine Waste 
and Mill Tailings 

Objective : To investigate methods of 
slurried waste deposition that will 
place higher strength materials close to 



13 



the embankment , and concepts for f loc- 
culation of fine coal waste that elimi- 
nate or reduce the need for slurry im- 
poundments. This is a continuation of 
an ongoing project. 

44. Stabilizing Oil Shale Waste 

Objective : To determine the stability 
characteristics of oil shale retort 
wastes for surface and underground dis- 
posal. This is a new project. 



2. Permissible Equipment 

Objective : To evaluate the use of 
stainless steel foams as a vent material 
on explosion-proof enclosures , and pro- 
vide acceptance and test criteria for 
high-voltage permissible load centers. 
This is a continuation of an ongoing 
project. 

3. Grounding and Ground Fault 
Protection 



45. Inundation Bulkhead Construction 

Using Sludge from Underground Acid 
Mine Drainage Treatment 

Objective: To develop an effective and 
economical method to construct mine in- 
undation bulkheads using dewatered 
limestone sludge from underground acid 
mine drainage treatment. This is a new 
project. 

Industrial-Type Hazards 

Program Objectives : To (1) determine 
how the quality of training can be in- 
creased to ensure miners can do their 
tasks safely and productively, (2) define 
the role of the human in all aspects of 
tasks required during the mining cycle, 
(3) determine how the human can be pro- 
tected from the hazards of mining, (4) 
determine what information must be avail- 
able to the miner and at what level to 
increase safety, and (5) determine what 
information must be available to reflect 
the human requirements in equipment de- 
signed for mining. 

Electrical 

1. Intrinsic Safety 



Objective : To improve existing sen- 
sitive ground fault interruptors or de- 
velop new units for use in U.S. under- 
ground mines, and to test those units for 
durability and shock prevention and es- 
tablish applicable standards for future 
use. This is a continuation of an on- 
going project. 

4. Electrical Equipment, Devices 
and Systems 

Objective: To investigate general pow- 
er system problems that have the poten- 
tial for causing mine fires, methane ex- 
plosions, and exposure of mine personnel 
to electrical hazards, and to develop 
technology to improve the reliability and 
maintainability of mine power. This is a 
continuation of an ongoing project. 

5. Inherently Safe Electrode Reactions 
for Use in Electrokinetic Dewatering 

Objective : To complete the investi- 
gation on cathode reactions that will be 
inherently safe and can substitute for 
the hydrogen-generating reduction of 
water in the electrokinetic process of 
dewatering mine tailings. This is a con- 
tinuation of an ongoing project. 



Objective : To investigate problems re- 
lated to the basic understanding of in- 
trinsic safety, supply technical support 
to Bureau of Mines researchers , contrac- 
tors , and MSHA, and participate in 
national and international committees to 
develop safety factors associated with 
using electrical equipment in potentially 
explosive atmospheres. This is a contin- 
uation of an ongoing project. 



Illumination 

6. Investigation of Minimal Luminance 
Requirements for the Mining Industry 

Objective: To collect and analyze data 
from surface and underground mines that 
can be used to evaluate and recommend 
minimal luminance levels for the indus- 
try. This is a continuation of an on- 
going project. 



14 



Fundamental Research on Potential 
Use of Large Diameter Fiber Optics 
for Area Illumination 



for the improved management of coal 
mines. This is a continuation of an on- 
going project. 



Objective : To evaluate the potential 
use of fiber optic illumination systems 
in underground mines with emphasis on 
glare reduction, safety, reliability, 
maintenance, and economics. This is a 
continuation of an ongoing project. 

Mine Communications and Monitoring 

8. Mine Telemetry and Environmental 
Surveillance Systems 

Objective ; To collect basic in-mine 
data on environmental mine monitoring 
systems. The data will be used for eval- 
uation of system reliability, sensor and 
transducer performance, and data secur- 
ity. This is a continuation of an on- 
going project. 

9. Performance Standards and Systems 
Approach to Mine Monitoring 



12. Human Factors of Manual Materials 
Handling in the Coal Mining Industry 

Obj ective : To identify and define the 
hazards of manual materials handling in 
the coal mining industry, and to develop 
manual materials handling guidelines spe- 
cific to the needs of the coal mining 
industry. This is a continuation of an 
ongoing project. 

13. Computer Modeling of Mining 
Crew Stations 



Objective ; To determine the demands 
placed on mobile equipment operators 
while operating underground coal mining 
machinery and to incorporate the results 
into the ongoing work on developing a 
computer model of operator compartments. 
This is a continuation of an ongoing 
project. 



Objective ; To develop and evaluate 
criteria for an intrinsically safe mine 
monitoring system. The research will 
concentrate on a systems approach, relia- 
bility, sensors, and data security. The 
system provides adequate safety protec- 
tion that is cost effective. This is a 
continuation of an ongoing project. 

10. Electromagnetic Signal Propagation 
in Underground Mines 

Objective ; To investigate techniques 
to permit whole-mine telemetry applicable 
to environmental monitoring, operational 
data transfer, and other communications. 
This is a continuation of an ongoing 
project. 

Human Factors 

1 1. The Investigation of Improved 
Management Practices for the 
Mining Industr y 

Objective ; To ascertain the relation- 
ship of current management practices to 
miners' safety, productivity, and turn- 
over rates; and on the basis of the find- 
ings from this work, recommend approaches 



14. Reduction of Human Error Accidents 
in Underground Mining 

Objective ; To reduce mining accidents 
and injuries associated with "human er- 
ror," and to improve productivity related 
to human performance. This is a continu- 
ation of an ongoing project. 

15. Research To Enhance the Conduct of 
New Hire, Refresher, and New Task 
Training 

Objective ; To enhance the efficiency 
and effectiveness of mine training 
through the systematic investigation, 
study, and development of performance 
criteria and competency-based training 
methods. This is a continuation of an 
ongoing project. 

16. Field Evaluation of Prototype 
Training Equipment 

Objective ; To evaluate previously de- 
veloped training equipment for continu- 
ous miners and underground and surface 
haulage vehicles. This is a continuation 
of an ongoing project. 



15 



17. Fundamental Factors of Operator 
Alertness To Enhance Surface 
Mining Safety 



21. The Fundamentals of Electromechan- 
ical Technology for Large Mobile 
Surface Mine Equipment Au t oma t i on 



Objective : To determine human behav- 
ioral aspects of the man-machine-work- 
place interface that contribute to unsafe 
behavior in surface mining, develop prac- 
tical techniques that can correct these 
problems, and test such techniques under 
controlled conditions that simulate the 
mining environment. This is a continua- 
tion of an ongoing project. 



Objective ; To complete research on 
operator protection systems and collision 
avoidance systems for large surface min- 
ing equipment. Investigate the potential 
for using automation in surface mine 
safety. This is a continuation of an 
ongoing project. 

Haulage and Materials Handling 



18. Blasters Training for Metal- 
Nonmetal Miners 



22. Evaluation of Conveyor Belt 
Cleaners 



Objective : To prepare recommendations 
for the development of materials that 
would be used for classroom and on- 
the-job training of blasters in metal and 
nonmetal mines. This is a continuation 
of an ongoing project. 



Objective : To determine an optimum 
solution to the problem of carryback on 
conveyor belts, thus reducing worker ex- 
posure and potential danger from moving 
belts. This is a continuation of an on- 
going project. 



Mine Equipment Safety 



23. Hoisting Systems Research 



19. Application of Robotics to 
Underground Mining 

Objective : To conduct an intensive, 
systematic study directed toward greater 
knowledge and understanding of robotics 
to determine the potential for the devel- 
opment of mining systems that will rely 
primarily on robotics technology to in- 
crease safety. This is a continuation of 
an ongoing project. 

20. Equipment Technology for Reduced 
Accidents 

Objective : To explore the application 
of innovative technology to Improve 
health, safety, and productivity in min- 
ing. Areas addressed by the program are 
ground fall protection for operators of 
thin-seam face equipment, braking systems 
on mobile face equipment, and accidents 
analysis. This is a continuation of an 
ongoing effort. 



Objective : To increase the safety and 
efficiency of hoisting operations by (1) 
quantifying the effects of degradation 
upon the structural integrity of hoist 
rope and (2) studying the relationship 
between material deformation and energy 
dissipation for utilization in hoist 
arrestments. This is a continuation of 
an ongoing project. 

24. Haulage and Materials Handling 
Accident Reduction 

Objective: To isolate the causes of 
powered haulage and materials handling 
accidents and to develop concepts and 
guidelines for equipment design that will 
reduce the injuries resulting from these 
operations in underground coal mines. 
This is a continuation of an ongoing 
project. 



16 



25. Wire Rope Inspection, Retirement, 
Selection, and Use 

Objective: To investigate present 
methods and, where appropriate, derive 
better methods for inspection, use, and 
selection of underground mine hoist-rope 
and associated equipment, and to prepare 
new hoist-rope retirement (replacement) 
criteria. Existing inadequate retirement 
criteria will be replaced by improved 
criteria that will increase the reliabil- 
ity and safety of man and/or material 
hoisting operations. This is a continua- 
tion of an ongoing project. 



26. 



Laboratory Analysis of Wire Rope 



Objective : To define and control the 
microstructure of wrought, pearlitic 
steel, wire hoist ropes to extend fatigue 
life, and to perform metallurgical analy- 
ses such as chemical composition and mi- 
crostructure determinations to support 
the needs of the entire Wire Rope Program 
at the Bureau of Mines Pittsburgh, Spo- 
kane, and Albany Research Centers. This 
is a continuation of an ongoing project, 

Postdisaster 

Program Objectives : To develop the 
technology that will enhance the chances 
of miners to escape, survive, and/or be 
rescued following a mine fire, explosion, 
or outburst of gas. This involves per- 
sonal protection equipment for miners and 
rescue teams, preplanned rescue and sur- 
vival systems, and devices to detect, 
locate, and communicate with trapped 
miners. 



Communications 

2. Systems and Strategies for Post- 
disaster Location and Rescue 

Objective : To develop rescue strate- 
gies based upon in-mine medium frequency 
(MF) radio propagation. This is a con- 
tinuation of an ongoing project. 

Rescue and Mine Recovery 

3. Gas Instrumentation for Rescue Teams 

Objective : To quantify the effects of 
selected atmospheric and environmental 
parameters in commercially available 
methane detection instruments. This ef- 
fort is in direct response to an MSHA re- 
quest. This is a continuation of an on- 
going project. 

Explosives 

Program Objectives : To maintain sur- 
veillance over permissible explosives and 
related items; determine hazard charac- 
teristics of explosive substances, de- 
vices, and systems not classified as per- 
missible; and conduct research to support 
MSHA in establishing and enforcing mean- 
ingful standards and in investigating 
accidents related to explosives. To pro- 
vide insight into physical and chemical 
aspects that cause explosives to malfunc- 
tion. To improve blasting procedures 
that will reduce hazards associated with 
personnel control in blast-affected areas 
and flyrock. To provide information on 
stemming of large blastholes in gassy 
metal and nonmetal mines. 



Survival 

1. Life Support for Escape and Rescue 

Objective : To conduct research to in- 
vestigate the physiology of escape and 
rescue and the use of metabolic breathing 
simulators in testing and design of 
breathing apparatus, and to conduct long- 
term field evaluations of self-contained 
self-rescuers. This is a continuation of 
an ongoing project. 



1. Development of Safer Blasting 

Procedures and Improved Explosive 
Hazard Techniques 

Objective : To increase safety in 
blasting techniques and reduce explosive 
hazards in underground coal mines 
by (1) determining how blasting parame- 
ters affect the probability of ignition 
in multiple-delay blasting, (2) defining 
and evaluating new types of sheathed ex- 
plosives for specific applications and 
then proposing scheduled tests for their 



17 



approval, and (3) providing hazard cri- 
teria and test procedures for new explo- 
sives, blasting agents, initiating sys- 
tems , and related devices involved in 
accidents. This is a continuation of an 
ongoing project. 

2. Effect of Explosive Properties and 
Blasting Procedures on Incendivity 
and Performance 

Objective : To evaluate new candidate 
permissibles and ensure that certified 
permissibles are made to specifications. 
To study the deflagration and/or detona- 
tion of water-gel and emulsion permissi- 
bles. To improve blasting area security 
in gassy noncoal mines by selecting, mod- 
ifying, and mine testing of intruder 
warning and detection systems. To deter- 
mine minimum retention time of various 
stemming materials for blasting in oil 
shale and gassy underground mines. This 
is a continuation of an ongoing project. 

3. Basic Understanding of Deflagration 
and Detonation Phenomena 



show the relationship 
pressure densitization 



Objective ; To 
between dynamic 
and delay time before detonation. To es- 
tablish the relationship between defla- 
gration tendency of mining explosives and 
the ignition condition utilized. This is 
a continuation of an ongoing project. 

Systems Engineering 

Program Objectives ; To provide insight 
to the fundamental understanding of safe- 
ty aspects concerned with automation/ 
production in future mining systems, 
and to anticipate/delineate future mine 
safety problems so they can be treated 
rationally. 

Systems Analysis 

1. Effectiveness of Mine Systems 

Objective ; To provide a generic model 
with case examples to evaluate mine 



safety technology for cost-effectiveness; 
and to perform mine hazard analyses of 
total mine operations and address inter- 
actions and address interactions among 
health and safety problems that occur. 
To update and expand data on mine equip- 
ment use for identifying potential 
hazards in coal mining operations; to 
study the demographics of the mining 
population in conjunction with Health and 
Safety Analysis Center accident injury 
data; and to adapt modern safety analy- 
sis methods to determine the severity of 
the more hazardous mining operations. 
This is a continuation of an ongoing 
project. 



2. 



Test Facilities 

Operation of the Lake Lynn 
Laboratory 



Objective ; To operate and maintain 
specialized full-scale underground and 
surface test facilities. Examples of 
research activities to be pursued include 
(1) reevaluation of passive barrier de- 
ployment guidelines, (2) test of trig- 
gered barrier systems mounted on a 
continuous miner, (3) validation of con- 
cepts on the ignition and propagation of 
coal dust explosions, (4) evaluation of 
large-scale burn tests Involving explo- 
sives and blasting agents, and (5) acqui- 
sition of data for approval of sheathed 
explosive charges in novel applications. 
This is a continuation of an ongoing 
project. 

3. Operation of the Safety Research 
Coal Mine and the Experimental 
Mine 

Objective: To operate and maintain two 
specialized full-scale underground mine 
facilities at the Bureau's Pittsburgh Re- 
search Center, Bruceton, PA. Examples of 
research activities to be pursued include 
(1) identification of explosion hazards 
of float coal dust layers, (2) develop- 
ment of practical, economical, and reli- 
able triggered and low-coal barriers, 



(3) determination of the effects of large 
fires on mine ventilation systems, (4) 
evaluation of sealed mine fires and their 
extinguishment, and (5) evaluation of un- 
derground communication and monitoring 
systems. This is a continuation of an 
ongoing project. 

4. Operation of the Twilight Mine 
Radiation Facility 



Assistance With Program Management 

5. Health and Safety Analysis Center 
(HSAC) Support 

Objective : To provide the Bureau with 
easy access to statistical facts relating 
to employment and accident Information 
collected and compiled by HSAC. This is 
a continuation of an ongoing project. 



Objective : To operate and maintain a 
specialized full-scale underground ura- 
nium mine for intercomparison tests to be 
conducted by the Bureau's Denver Research 
Center in conjunction with both inter- 
national laboratories and instrument man- 
ufacturers. This is a continuation of an 
ongoing project. 



6. Information Retrieval Systems 

Objective : To provide the Bureau with 
accident cost data for estimating tangi- 
ble cost of occupational injuries, ill- 
nesses, and fatalities in the U.S. mining 
industry. This is a continuation of an 
ongoing project. 



PART 2. — CONTRACT RESEARCH 



HEALTH 

Respirable Dust 

Program Objectives : To investigate ba- 
sic dust control technologies and con- 
cepts aimed at both preventing the forma- 
tion of respirable dust and controlling 
the airborne dust generated during the 
mining cycle. To provide new and im- 
proved technology for measuring and con- 
trolling airborne respirable dust at 
levels that meet or are below standards 
set by Federal law for all mining and 
mineral processing operations. 

1. Concepts for Reducing Silica Dust 
in Coal Mines 

Objective : To identify concepts to re- 
duce silica dust in underground coal 
mines. To reduce the concepts to prac- 
tice through feasibility studies, proof- 
of-principle tests, and laboratory and 



underground testing. Emphasis will be on 
concepts for drum-type continuous miners. 
This is a continuation of an ongoing 
project. 

Noise Control 

Program Objectives: To reduce mine 
worker overexposure to noise by conduct- 
ing research in noise source identifica- 
tion, noise control technology, and hear- 
ing protector research. 

1. Acoustic Modeling of Mining 
Environments 

Objective : To develop an acoustic sim- 
ulation of underground mines to evaluate 
noise control techniques and to assess 
worker overexposure to noise. Simulation 
is to provide for cost-benefit analysis 
of noise control measures. This is a new 
project. 



19 



Industrial Hygiene 
Trpxic Substances) 

Program Objectives: To identify and 
control health hazards in surface and 
underground mines and mineral processing 
plants caused by toxic gases and fumes, 
and certain particulates produced by ex- 
plosives, combustible materials, and die- 
sel engines. To analyze alternative pow- 
er sources that may have health advan- 
tages over existing mine diesels. 

1. A Clean Internal Combustion Engine 
fo r Underground Mining Machinery 

Objective: To determine the adequacy 
of the safety devices and systems of the 
prototype hydride-fueled mining vehicle 
currently being fabricated. This Is a 
continuation of an ongoing project. 

Ventilation 

Program Objectives: To develop venti- 
lation systems required to maintain a 
safe and healthful atmosphere conducive 
to efficient work output in noncoal 
mines. 

1. Effective Face Ventilation Systems 
for Oil Shale Mines 

Objective: To develop and evaluate 
conceptual designs for large-opening face 
ventilation systems and to in-mlne- 
evaluate two of these designs. This is a 
continuation of an ongoing project. 

SAFETY 

Ground Control 

Program Objectives : To develop tech- 
nology that can be applied by the mining 
industry to reduce accidents due to the 
failure of underground mine roof, face, 
and ribs, and the collapse of surface 
mine and waste embankment slopes. 



Mine Design and Development 

1. Geological Conditions Affecting 
Coal Mine Roof Control in the 
Western United States 

Objective : To conduct an overview of 
hazardous geologic conditions that affect 
underground coal mine roof stability in 
the Western United States. This is a 
continuation of an ongoing project. 

Hazard Detection and 
Monitoring Systems 

2. Coal Mine Bump Monitoring 

Objective : To monitor a working sec- 
tion of a bump-prone underground coal 
mine in the Pocahontas coal basin. West 
Virginia, using Bureau-developed micro- 
seismic monitoring systems. This is a 
continuation of an ongoing project. 

3. Focused Resistivity Method for 
Detecting Subsurface Coal Mine 
Workings 

Objective : To improve the existing 
automated resistivity measurement system 
in order to extend the system's capabil- 
ity for detection of subsurface mine 
voids from the current limitation of 100 
m to 200 to 300 m into coal-bearing 
strata. This is a continuation of an on- 
going project. 

Waste Stability 

4. Additives for Strengthening Back- 
fill Waste Materials in Steep Coal 
Seam Mining 

Objective : To determine if cemented 
backfills can be formulated from coal 
washery wastes, pozzolanic materials, 
sand alluviums, and decomposed sandstone 
from a selected pitched seam coal mining 
region in Washington State. This Is a 
continuation of an ongoing project. 



*U.S. CPO: 1985-505-019/20,005 



INT.-BU.OF MINES, PGH., PA. 27924 



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